Will Someone Please Tell Me How Long Will It Take To Get A Passport

by erin on February 16, 2010

Because of new passport laws, many new people are applying for passports. One of the most common questions people ask is, how long to get a passport? This is a complicated question and there is no definite answer. The following article will try to explain the passport process and inform a new applicant what they can expect in terms of a passport time frame.

One thing to make note of is the increase in passport applications over the last few years. The new laws that went into effect in June of 2009 were first rumored in 2006. Because people knew that the rules were going to change, many casual travelers started to apply for passports so that trips to places like Mexico or Canada would not be prevented because of lack of documentation.

The process is not a difficult one, as long as the applicant has all of their paperwork in order. One of the first very first thing that needs to be done is to obtain a passport picture. In addition to that, they will also need a valid government recognized ID and proof of citizenship. If all of these items are valid and ready to go, the application process will go much quicker.

When everything is together, it is time to head to a U.S. passport office to start the application process. In the United States, local post offices are the primary sources to get a passport application. While not every post office processes passport applications, many of them have this ability. It is best to check the USPS website for exact locations that offer this service.

Once the application has been approved by the application center, it is sent off for processing. This is the longest part of the application process. This is also the part of the application that worries most new applicants, as this part of the application has been known to take a great deal of time.

Today, the whole process is more efficient and worry free. Anyone that wants to go through normal channels can expect to get their passport in about two months. If that seems excessive, compare it to waiting over six months before these new laws went into effect. The entire process is much more efficient now.

If that time frame still does not work, there is actually an expedited service that is offered for $60. Anyone using this service will have their passport back to them in about two or three weeks. If this is still not quick enough, there are other services that cost a bit more, but the passport application literally gets pushed to the front of the pile.

Clearly, there is no one answer to the question, How long to get a passport? It depends on the time of year and the type of year. A fair average is one to two months, but it is impossible to be sure. The best method to ensure that your passport arrives on time is to apply at your local U.S. passport office long before you think you will need one.

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